News

Film fan launches Didcot club to screen classics

Movie buffs in Didcot can look forward to watching old Hollywood classics on the big screen following the launch of a new film club.

The club has been launched by David Rouane, after he decided that residents in the town needed more midweek entertainment.

Mr Rouane first approached Cineworld in the Orchard Centre to see if they would host the film club.

But when he failed to reach an agreement with Cineworld, he then approached Cornerstone Arts Centre and was delighted when they agreed to host the club.

The club’s first screening will be A Streetcar Named Desire starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh.

The film will be shown at 8pm on Wednesday and film club members can look forward to other Hollywood classics, foreign language movies, and British independent films.

Mr Rouane, 48, of East Street, who runs a London-based charity providing disaster relief around the globe, said: “I commute to London and have found there is not a great deal going on in the
evenings in Didcot during the week

“There are lots of commuters in Didcot and not everyone wants to drive into Oxford to go to see an independent film at the Phoenix Picturehouse.

“Cineworld in Didcot does a great job but the film club will cater for a different audience – we are not trying to compete with them.

“The Cornerstone has its own projector and has also agreed to sell tickets for us – staff there seem very keen to make us welcome.

“Films will be shown in the main auditorium, which holds up to 200 people.

“At first, we will hold the film club once a month but if lots of people come along then we will consider running some matinee screenings as well.”

Mr Rouane said his favourite film was the 1969 movie Ken Loach movie Kes, based on a novel about a boy who looks after a kestrel.

He added: “I grew up in a South Yorkshire mining village and I love this story about this boy who wants to be a bit different.”

Other movies that are likely to be screened include the French film A Bout de Souffle and The Third Man starring Orson Welles.

Mr Rouane said the film screenings could be followed by discussions in the Cornerstone café.

Jenny Muller, a spokesman for the arts centre’s box office, said: “We have had quite a few people inquiring about the club already and buying tickets.”

Club membership costs £5 and film tickets cost £5 for members.

Cineworld spokesman Joe Dawes said Cineworld staff in Didcot had discussed with Mr Rouane the feasibility of hosting the film club.

He added: “After discussions started. Mr Rouane found another venue.”
FAFor further information on the film club visit didcotfilmclub@btinternet.com